Passenger seat for lawn and garden tractor

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an auxiliary seat assembly for a lawn and garden tractor. The auxiliary seat assembly includes a mounting assembly and at least one auxiliary seat mounted to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is releasably secured to a rear frame of the tractor. The at least one auxiliary seat is located generally behind a seat of the associated tractor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/684,926 filed May 26, 2005 and is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle seating and, more particularly,to a passenger seat or a second seat to be attached to a lawn and gardentractor.

Modern lawn and garden tractors are generally designed as singleoccupant vehicles with a seat for the driver only; however, it issometimes desirable for a passenger to also ride on the tractor. Forexample, it may be desirable for an instructor to ride along with afirst time driver of a particular type of tractor. Alternatively, itmight be convenient for a child to ride along with a parent who isoperating the tractor so that the parent can be assured of the child'swhereabouts.

Existing, conventional lawn and garden tractors do not provide seats forextra riders. Thus, the rider must assume a crouched position on thetractor to avoid interfering with the driver or blocking his view. Sucha position is usually unsafe, as well as uncomfortable and unsteady.Since lawn and garden tractors can be driven over rough terrain, such aposition can also be hazardous to the rider and to the driver, if therider should be thrown off balance on the tractor.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a seating provision orattachment which allows a rider on a lawn and garden tractor to sit in asecure, comfortable position without causing interference to the driverand which can be stowed when not needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to lawn tractors. More particularly, theinvention relates to a passenger seat attachment for use with a lawntractor. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, anauxiliary seat assembly for a lawn and garden tractor is provided. Theauxiliary seat assembly includes a mounting assembly and at least oneauxiliary seat mounted to the mounting assembly. The mounting assemblyis releasably secured to a rear frame of the tractor. The at least oneauxiliary seat is located generally behind a seat of the associatedtractor.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a passengerseat assembly for a lawn and garden tractor includes an extensionassembly mounted to and extending away from a rear frame of the tractor.At least one passenger seat is secured to the extension member. A heightof the at least one passenger seat is approximately equal to a height ofa seat of the tractor.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, anauxiliary seat assembly for a lawn and garden tractor includes amounting plate releasably secured to a rear frame of the tractor. Anelongated arm is attached to the mounting plate and extends away fromthe frame of the tractor. A first auxiliary seat is mounted to an endsection of the elongated arm. The first auxiliary seat is locatedgenerally behind a seat of the tractor.

Still another aspect of the invention is the provision of providing apassenger seat which is easily mounted to a lawn tractor.

Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a passenger seatwhich is releasably secured to a lawn tractor.

Still other aspects of the invention will become apparent from a readingand understanding of the detailed description of the preferredembodiments hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention may take physical form in certain parts andarrangements of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be describedin detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tractor with a passenger seatextension in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a tractor with a passengerseat extension of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevated view of the passenger seat extension of FIG. 2showing a mounting bracket;

FIG. 4 is a right-side exploded elevational view of the passenger seatextension of FIG. 1; and,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tractor with a passenger seatextension having a foot support in accordance with an alternateembodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingherein are merely illustrative and that various modifications andchanges can be made in the structures disclosed without departing fromthe scope of the invention.

With reference now to FIG. 1, a lawn and garden tractor A is shown witha passenger seat extension assembly B in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention attached to a rear portion of thetractor. Certain components of the tractor will be mentioned to providethe context. The passenger seat is constructed so that it mounts behindthe driver's seat provided for the tractor driver or operator. Thetractor is constructed with a bottom floor plate or deck. Typically, thetractor has a drive shaft from the engine in front back to a rear axlewhich connects to the left and right with a hump in the floorboard. Thehump houses the differential for the rear wheels. The rearwheels (notshown) are arranged to the left and right of the operator seat and areenclosed in appropriate fenders to the left and right of the driver. Thefenders are mounted to the left and right of the driver. Collectively,these components form the tractor A.

With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the passenger seat assembly Bincludes a passenger seat extension 10 which generally has a mountingplate 12 and an extension member 14 for supporting at least one seat S.The seat S includes a cushion and a seat belt. The extension member isreleasably attached to the mounting plate and extends away from a rearframe 16 of the tractor A. The extension member 14 serves to providespacing or distance D between the seat S and the rear portion of thetractor. The distance D can vary from about 12 inches to 18 inches ormore, and allows the passenger to easily enter and exit the seat.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mounting plate 12 includes four spaced apartmounting holes 19 and a connecting member 20 (FIG. 4) extendinggenerally normal from the mounting plate. The mounting plate is securedto the rear frame of the tractor by conventional fasteners, such asscrews or bolts 21 and nuts, the fasteners extending throughcorresponding openings located in the frame of the tractor and themounting holes 19 of the mounting plate. In operation, the mountingplate 12 is attached easily because the only connectors utilized are thefasteners 21. They are connected in a rear location so they are out ofharm's way, and they are also connected so they can connect throughpermanently made holes in the rear frame without fear of rusting outthat region. Attachment is easily achieved with suitable threadedfasteners. Removal is equally easy and is accomplished in the samemanner.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the connecting member20 has a first end 22fixedly secured to the mounting plate 12. In the illustrated embodiment,the first end is welded to the mounting plate. Walls 24, 26 of theconnecting member each has an aperture 28 which extends through opposingsides of the connecting member 20 and is preferably located midwaybetween the upper and lower surface of the connecting member. Theconnecting member 20 is preferably made out of 2¼ inch by 2¼ inchtubular steel. However, it should be appreciated that any size tubularsteel can be used, such as 2 inch and 1⅞ inch or other appropriatesizes. Other metals can also be used without departing from the scope ofthe invention. An important object of the connecting member 20 is thatit be able to selectively receive the extension member 14.

The extension member 14 includes first and second portions 34 and 36,respectively, and a base portion 40. The cross-section of the extensionmember is of a generally square shaped configuration. The first portion34 extends outwardly from an end of the base portion at an obtuse anglesuch that the first portion is parallel to the connecting member 20. Thesecond portion 36 extends outwardly from an opposing end of the baseportion 40 also at an obtuse angle such that the first portion isgenerally parallel to the second portion. As shown in FIG. 4, the secondportion 36 is positioned above the first portion 34. The extensionmember 14 is preferably made out of 2 inch by 2 inch tubular steel, butit can be fabricated in other sizes and shapes without departing fromthe scope of the invention. The extension member is fabricated frommaterial of sufficient strength to withstand the load of a passenger onthe seat positioned on portion 36.

The first portion 34 of the extension member 14 includes an aperture 42which extends through both sides of the first portion and is preferablylocated midway between the upper and lower surface of the first portion.The apertures 28 and 42 substantially align to serve to secure theextension member 14 to the connecting member 20. In particular, theaperture 42 is spaced inward from an end of the first portion 34 suchthat as the extension member is inserted within the connecting member20, the center axis of the aperture 42 is coincident With the centeraxis of the aperture 28. Preferably, the apertures 28 and 42 havesimilar diameters so that the extension member 14 can be secured withinthe connecting member 20 by a locking member such as a dowel or pin Pextending through the apertures 28 and 42 when they are aligned witheach other. The portion 34 is inserted into a mating opening 25 of agenerally square shaped configuration in an end wall of the connectingmember 20. The opening 25 is slightly larger than an outer dimension ofthe portion 34 to telescopically receive the portion 34.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the extension member20 includes at least one seating frame 50, which extends generallyperpendicular from the second portion 36 for supporting the at least oneseat S. As shown in FIG. 4, the extension member includes a pair ofseating frames 50. Each seating frame includes first and second arms 52and 54, respectively, and a back portion 56, the arms and the backportion creating a generally “U” shaped frame. The first and second armsare fixedly secured to the second portion 36, preferably by welding. Thefirst and second arms 52 and 54 include mounting apertures 60 adapted toreceive conventional fasteners F for securing an underside of aconventional seat S to each seating frame 50.

The back portion 56 and the first and second arms 52 and 54 arepreferably made of 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches tubular steel. The first andsecond arms 52 and 54 are secured to opposing end portions of the backportion 56 by welding or other suitable means.

According to another aspect (not shown) of the present invention, themounting plate and the extension member are identical to the firstembodiment in all respects, except that no seating frames are provided.In this embodiment, the second portion of the extension member includesat least one mounting aperture adapted to receive conventional fastenersfor securing a single seat.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate embodiment of the passenger seatextension includes a foot support or protective shroud 61 which would bemounted onto extension portion 40 via fasteners (not shown) or onto theseating frame 50 via a leg portion 62. The foot support or shroud 61 caninclude a rectangular frame 64 and a grid or mesh 66 formed within theframe walls. The frame can be made of tubular steel or other metal.Another alternative would be to add a foot support onto the extensionmember adjacent portion 34 to provide a means for bracing and preventingthe passenger from sliding down out of the seat. The footsupport/protective shroud serves to support the feet of the passenger.Another use of the support is as a protective shroud to deflect debris,rocks, twigs, etc. from flying up toward the rear of the tractor. Thesupport or shroud can be level as shown or at an angle to furtherdeflect the debris.

Thus, the seating assembly is easily mounted to and disassembled from arear frame of a tractor. The extension member can be easily interchangedwith varying sizes and configurations of extension members withoutrequiring removal of the mounting plate.

The present disclosure has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the disclosure be construed asincluding all such modifications and alterations.

1. An auxiliary seat assembly for an associated lawn and garden tractorcomprising: a mounting assembly releasably secured to a rear frame ofthe associated tractor; and at least one auxiliary seat mounted to saidmounting assembly, wherein said at least auxiliary seat is locatedgenerally behind a seat of the associated tractor.
 2. The seat assemblyof claim 1, wherein said mounting assembly includes: a mounting platesecured to a frame of the associated tractor, and an extension memberreleasably attached to said mounting plate and extending away from theassociated tractor, said extension member providing a predetermineddistance between said at least one auxiliary seat and the associatedtractor.
 3. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein said mounting plateincludes a connecting member extending from said mounting plate, saidconnecting member releasably attaching said extension member to saidmounting plate.
 4. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein said extensionmember includes a first section having a longitudinal axis generallyperpendicular to said mounting plate.
 5. The seat assembly of claim 4,wherein said extension member includes a second section spaced from andconnected to said first section, wherein said second section ispositioned above said first section.
 6. The seat assembly of claim 5,wherein said second section has a longitudinal axis generally parallelto said longitudinal axis of said first section.
 7. The seat assembly ofclaim 2, wherein said extension member includes at least one seatingframe for mounting said at least one auxiliary seat to said extensionmember.
 8. The seat assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least oneseating frame is generally U-shaped.
 9. A passenger seat assembly for anassociated lawn and garden tractor comprising: an extension assemblymounted to a rear frame of the associated tractor and extending awayfrom the associated tractor; and at least one passenger seat secured tosaid extension member, wherein a height of said at least one passengerseat is approximately equal to a height of a seat of the associatedtractor.
 10. The seat assembly of claim 9, wherein said extensionassembly includes a mounting plate secured to the frame of theassociated tractor and a connecting member extending from said mountingplate.
 11. The seat assembly of claim 10, wherein said extensionassembly includes an elongated arm having a first section attached tosaid connecting member and a second section spaced from said firstsection.
 12. The seat assembly of claim 11, wherein said second sectionis positioned above said first section.
 13. The seat assembly of claim11, wherein said elongated arm includes a base interconnecting saidfirst section and said second section, wherein said first sectionextends outwardly from said base at an angle such that a longitudinalaxis of said first section is generally perpendicular to said mountingplate, wherein said second section extends outwardly from said base atan angle such that a longitudinal axis of said second section isgenerally parallel to the longitudinal axis if said first section. 14.The seat assembly of claim 9, wherein said extension assembly includesat least one seating frame for mounting said at least one passenger seatto said extension assembly.
 15. An auxiliary seat assembly for anassociated lawn and garden tractor comprising: a mounting platereleasably secured to a frame of the associated tractor; an elongatedarm attached to said mounting plate and extending away from the frame ofthe associated tractor; and a first auxiliary seat mounted to an endsection of said elongated arm, wherein said first auxiliary seat islocated generally behind a seat of the associated tractor.
 16. The seatassembly of claim 15, further comprising a first seating frame securedto said end section of said elongated arm for mounting said firstauxiliary seat to said elongated arm.
 17. The seat assembly of claim 16,further comprising a second seating frame secured to said end section ofsaid elongated arm adjacent said first seating frame for mounting asecond auxiliary seat to said elongated arm.
 18. The seat assembly ofclaim 15, wherein a height of said first auxiliary seat is approximatelyequal to a height of a seat of the associated tractor.
 19. An auxiliaryseat assembly for use with a lawn and garden tractor, comprising: amounting plate releasably secured to a frame of the tractor; anelongated arm attached to said mounting plate and extending away fromthe frame of the tractor; an auxiliary seat mounted to an end section ofsaid elongated arm, wherein said auxiliary seat is located behind a seatof said tractor; and a foot support mounted to said elongated armbetween said mounting plate and said auxiliary seat.
 20. The auxiliaryseat assembly of claim 19, wherein said foot support comprises a frameand a foot support wall positioned within said frame.
 21. The auxiliaryseat assembly of claim 19, wherein said foot support is secured to saidelongated arm via a leg member.